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2008 Mitsubishi Lancer: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Lancer years.
One of the Mitsubishi Lancer years to avoid. All Lancer years
91 owner complaints, most about suspension. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2008 Lancer?The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer has 91 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are suspension and engine. Owners most often flag electrical gremlins: issues include non-responsive accelerator pedal (2013 model), headlights staying on permanently (2008 model), and complete electrical system failures (radio, wipers, hvac) with flickering lights.
Safety record for the 2008 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Lancer years only. How we score it
Is 2008 a good year for the Lancer?
Across the 17 Lancer model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2000) to 311 (2003). With 91 complaints, the 2008 Lancer sits above the model's median of 37.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2008 Lancer
structure:frame and members
Campaign 20V279000Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Sportback, 2008-2013 Outlander, and 2011-2016 Outlander Sport vehicles originally sold in, or ever registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The front lower control arms may detach due to the front cross member corroding from salt water exposure such as from road salt use.
visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Campaign 18V071000Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Outlander, 2008-2010 Lancer, 2009-2010 Lancer Evolution, and 2010 Lancer Sportback vehicles equipped with sunroofs. The sunroof glass may detach from the sunroof assembly, becoming a road hazard to other vehicles.
engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys
Campaign 14V562000Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Lancer, Lancer Evolution, and Outlander; 2009-2011 Lancer Sportback, Lancer Rilliart, and Lancer Sportback Ralliart; and 2011 Outlander Sport vehicles. The affected vehicles, manufactured with 4B1 engines, have an engine pulley and belt arrangement for turning the alternator, the cooling fan and the power steering pump (if equipped). These pulleys may experience unusual wear and allow for belt detachment.
service brakes, air:supply:check valve
Campaign 09V077000MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING 39,711 MY 2008-2009 OUTLANDER AND LACER VEHICLES. INCORRECT MATERIAL COMPOSITION OF THE BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE MAY CAUSE THE CHECK VALVE TO STICK CLOSED WHEN THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RE-STARTED AND PUT INTO MOTION, UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS (VERY SLOW VEHICLE MANEUVERS), THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT INITIAL BRAKING ASSIST.
Show 1 more recall
air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Campaign 09V435000MITSUBISHI IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 LANCER AND LANCER EVOLUTION VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN AREAS WHERE HEAVY ROAD SALT IS USED IN THE WINTER, A LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO A MIXTURE OF MELTED SNOW WITH SALT THROWN UP BY THE OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD MAY CAUSE A WATER-SALT MIXTURE TO ADHERE TO THE FRONT IMPACT SENSORS.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided between the standard Lancer models and the high-performance Evolution variants. For standard Lancers (ES, GTS, Aspire, etc.), owner feedback is generally positive regarding reliability, practicality, and low-cost ownership.
- IsolatedElectrical gremlins
Issues include non-responsive accelerator pedal (2013 model), headlights staying on permanently (2008 model), and complete electrical system failures (radio, wipers, HVAC) with flickering lights.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Lancer. See the full Lancer owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Lancer listings typically run $7,490–$10,213 across 2010 to 2017 model years.
Other Lancer model years
Compare every Lancer year side by side to see how 2008 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Lancer against its rivals
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